Part of having kids is knowing that you will have someone to look after you when you get old.  It’s traditional for children to take care of their elderly parents, as the parents once cared and nurtured the children.  

Taking on the job of looking after the well-being of your parents means that you have to make sure they have a safe place to live.  Take a few moments now to read through some helpful tips for making a safe home space for your senior parents.  

Make an assessment 

Before you take your first steps towards providing a safe space, you have to take the time to really assess the situation.  Take the time to consider the full scope of what your senior parents need.  

If the need is much more than what you feel you can provide, you may need to research senior living facilities in the area.  Your parents could benefit greatly by having the care of a whole team around them every day.  

Light up the living space

If you plan on improving yours or your parent’s home so they are able to age in place, you should focus a good effort on making the home more well lit.  The exterior and the interior of the home should be easy to see at night.  

Lights that illuminate walkways and common areas enough for seniors to be able to see where they’re going will help to cut down on fall risks and injuries from running into corners and walls.  

Take steps to prevent falls

Lighting does help to prevent falls, but there’s more you can do to keep your parents safe.  If you have children, make sure your kids have all of their toys put away before bed time.  

Rearrange furniture if you think it will open up the space, making it easier to move throughout the home.  Make sure there are no leaks or drips from a pet bowl.  

Secure area rugs, so they don’t move around or fold up at the ends.  Sure up electrical cords as well, so there’s no danger of tripping over lamps or other electronics. 

Make the bathroom safer

There’s lots of potential for a mishap in the bathroom when you’re a senior with limited mobility or other health challenges.  Adding a few strategically placed grab bars in the bathroom will make it much safer for your senior parents.  

Make it wheelchair accessible 

Your parents could need to use a wheelchair to get around, and a home that is fully accommodating of that fact is a home that is safer for your beloved senior.  

You may need to have a ramp installed, move some furniture around, or make a few other adjustments to provide a fully wheelchair accessible living space.